2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Toyota GR86 Comparison / Modern Icons Clash! 

I have driven both these cars. You cant go wrong with either, but here are a few similarities and differences from my perspective. 1. They are the two best drivers cars on the market. Period. They are the top two cars for backroads. 2. They are among the top 10 drivers cars (backroads, not track monsters) ever made. 3. The 86 is heavier but you get a lot more practicality and it can be a one car solution for a single person or couple. 4. The 86 is much more track ready off the shelf esp with the Performance Pack. The MX5 will need coilovers so add another $1500 plus (and install) on a car thats already more expensive 5. The 86 has more torque and easier to slide around 6. The MX5 has much better driver inputs - steering feel, shifter, clutch, brakes, throttle responsiveness and mapping 7. The MX5 is likely more reliable long term 8. The fuel consumption of MX5 is much better 9. The MX5 does feel a fair bit more agile, BUT, the 86 is second only to that car 10. The MX5 feels like its made with higher quality parts and interior (more premium)

Just bought a Trueno edition GR86, spectacular fun factor so far, my cousin got an mx5 at the same time. Fair eval of the pros and cons, there is no wrong answer with either car imo

I own a 16 year old Mazda Miata with 190k miles on the odometer with no issues. Both cars are excellent, we should all be grateful that these are available in this day of crossovers and automatics, won’t mention electrification. Enjoy the road!

Best car channel when it comes to describing the minute subjective and objective details of the characteristics and feel of these cool cars. And thank u for not saying every aspect of these popular cars are perfect or amazing. After watching your reviews, I feel like I just got done test driving and now I’m ready to make a purchase hahaha

I own a miata, and it also has more of a wow factor. Since i bought it in December, I've had multiple people calling out compliments just while driving down the road. You feel like you're in an exotic car even tho i got a fully loaded 2021 with 25000 miles for $25k

Being able to put the top down on a beautiful day or warm night more than makes up for any shortcomings in this comparison. It simply flips a switch in your brain, performance stops even mattering, and might as well be like having two different cars in one.

Really great comparo! Enjoy the detail you provide to really get at the subtle differences

Personally I like the looks of the Mazda a little more. I own a BRZ and love it. 2 origami kayaks and gear fit in there and my daughter and I have a blast. My wife and daughter, both on the small side, can be passengers. A fourth would be impossible. There is also plenty of aftermarket stuff available for the GR86/BRZ. Both are great.

I own both. If fun was the only consideration and I could only have one, it would be the miata.

Great comparison! Opinions on styling is subjective, the GR looks sporty and the MX-5 looks that way also, but adds a uniqueness that makes it standout.

I hope we get a future update on which of these cars you choose to purchase if you do so. Great content!

Holy crap, that was a great comparison review. In terms of sheer thoroughness that manages to touch on nearly everything a potential buyer would want to know, I think I can now say with confidence that you're the best reviewer out there, bar none. Some people cover the hard data, specs, and flashy tech very comprehensively. Others tend to eschew all that, figuring their viewers can read a brochure on their own, and they focus primarily on the intangibles, the overall impressions, how a car feels. You combine those two approaches better than anyone. savagegeese come close, but even they aren't as thorough overall as you are, and they're definitely not as consistently thorough. Sometimes they tend to mail it in, relatively speaking. You never fail to give full effort in every review. It's like Michael Jordan once explained late in his career, when asked why he still gives such maniacal effort every time he steps on the court... "Every night, I know there will be someone in that arena who is seeing me play for the first time. I won't give them anythng less than my best."

Compared to the MX-5 the Toyobaru twins not only return far inferior fuel mileage, they're also saddled by Subaru and Toyota with a recommendation for 93-octane Premium, whereas Mazda only recommends 91 for the MX-5. For a lot of people that's not a problem, but California and many other states don't offer 93-octane fuel. According to Subaru and Toyota, yes, the motor will run safely on lower octanes, but at the cost of reduced power, lower fuel mileage, and occasional knocking and pinging. That's largely why I ended up getting another MX-5 instead of the GR86 I was allocated, and it's also why I ended up getting the 91-octane Type R over the 93-octane Type S. There were other reasons as well, obviously, but in the case of the GR86 that was the primary one, since I'm in California. Otherwise, yep, except for the crappy fuel mileage the GR86 is the slightly faster, flatter cornering car that makes for a better daily driver, while the Miata-assuming one can fit in it-is the better built, more engaging and fun niche vehicle with a much nicer interior. Betwen the two, the Miata feels far more "special." There is quite a bit more sense of occasion with the MX-5, and that feeling never wears off. Plus, it's a true convertible, which renders moot any comparisons between the MX-5 and anything with a fixed roof. The open-air aspect of the extremely lightweight and tossable MX-5 absolutely changes the equation, making for an entirely more satisfying and immersive experience. Get a Miata out on a perfect coastal road, or ripping around up in the forest, or cruising through a starlit desert at night...there is simply no comparison. You savor the difference, and fully appreciate where your hard-earned money went.

Me and my lil bro are both into JDM's since childhood. He always liked the Miata and now has an MX-5 and I like the AE86 and got myself the GR86. I'm 41 and he's 36, we both have no families so we had the option get them as our daily drivers. WE love your cars.

I owned a 2018 BRZ and a 2020 MX-5. I've also driven the new generation GR86. But when it came time for me to buy a new weekend fun car this year I ended up going back to a 2024 MX-5. Ordered a Club soft top with the BBR package at the end of January and picked it up about a month ago. Both are great choices, and I don't think you could go wrong with either. For me it came down to the fact that I didn't need the extra practicality of the GR86, as this is just a weekend toy for me, and I was looking for fun more than anything. The MX-5 is enjoyable at any speeds, whether just cruising around or attacking a backroad, and the open top nature of the car just adds to the experience.

Being a GR86 owner with extensive experience behind the wheel of my friend's ND2 Miata RF, I will fully admit that the Miata is more fun. However, I needed the practicality of the GR86 as it's my only car and the GR86 came in that gorgeous Neptune Blue while the Miata is stuck with boring colors. If I had something like a CX-30 as a daily driver, I definitely would've gone with the Miata though. My main complaint about the Miata was that the speedometer is pretty much unreadable because everything is so scrunched together, you're never gonna go 160 mph in a Miata. The Miata has a digital screen in the instrument cluster but for some reason Mazda never put a digital speedometer there.

Both cars look fun to drive.

cool video :)

I’ve been daily driving a 2018 Miata GT for 4 years, and I still love it. Manual transmission is a must. I’m surprised how many people don’t know what it is. I live in the land of exotic cars (South Florida), yet the Miata feels like it’s not class dependent. I’ve even seen the valet park it right next to the Ferraris and Rolls Royces at the local mall (yes, they shop there too).

Test drove both a month ago. The GR86 had me grinning. The Miata not as much. Was offered the GR86 below dealer invoice. The Miata was several thousands of dollar more than the Toyota . Got the GR86. Was a no brainer.

The RF is incredibly handsome, gets ridiculously good fuel economy even when driven in town and revved out, economy is unreal on smooth highway driving, and every trip is fun. Plus the small fuel tank is cheap to fill up.

Great two options for most fun per $. For CA weather the Miata is a clear winner, as most of the year it’s not too hot or too cold or too humid for open-air. If you live in less ideal weather, I’d pick the 86 if I forced to own only one car.

The 86 back seats aren’t as useless as everyone makes them out to be. I’ve taken adults on ~20 minute trips across town just need to scoot your seat up a bit. You’re not going on a road trip and you’re not getting someone that’s 6’5” back there but for most normal sized people it works in a pinch

I own a Miata RF 6-speed manual. It’s fabulous! In my opinion it’s the best sports car for the money.

Here in the Northeast both cars are seasonal therefore as a weekend driver twenty weeks/year Miata gets my vote.

Great review! In 2024, the miata is 530 to 465lbs lighter. 2024 GR86 is 2,811 to 2,868lbs 2024 MX-5 is 2,341 to 2,403lbs In Japan, the lightest miata is the 990S Special Edition: 2,182lbs (1.5L engine). Bought my miata in 2020 when they only had the 1st gen 86. The 2nd gen would have been tempting with the improved linear engine. I'm still happy with my miata's weight, fun, and mpgs (35mpg work commute).

In Canada, the MX5 costs about 15% more than the BRZ (the Subaru badged GR86). I needed a daily and it was a no brainer to get the BRZ over the Miata in a climate that has snow. I would love to own an MX5, but I can’t afford a car that I can’t drive in the winter.

I have a 2005 mini cooper s convertible. I wanted to get the mx-5 soft top. However i was greatly surprised how much more significant road and wind noise there is in the mx-5. I think because even with my 18 year old roadster, the convertible top in my mini is multi-layer or have some sort of insulation material. As for road noise, I couldn’t pin point where the amount of noise is coming from. I even swapped the wheels and tires (same 4x100 bolt pattern) and did not matter. Makes me think if my mini has more insulation. I think i will go to the gr86 instead

Glad you mentioned the Dual vs Direct injection thing, hadn't thought about that with the Miata.

I get 29 mpg combined in my manual brz (according to the gauge). The epa tests have always underrated the manuals i've had

I've driven both of these cars many times and here's what I think... As an only car, the the 86 wins simply because it's more practical. However, as a 2nd car, which is the case for me, the Miata wins hands down because you get similar performance and feedback as the 86, but you also get a more sophisticated design, better overall build quality, and the open top experience, which takes it to another level. I strongly prefer the Miata overall, which is why I just purchased a ND3 Miata GT MT soft top. I've had it for 3 days and I've already done 300 miles. I look for any excuse I can dream up to go for a drive. This car is pure bliss on 4 wheels. I'm not a kid anymore so I really like its grown up styling and excellent long term reliability. Looking forward to owning this car for decades to come. That said, if I could only own one vehicle, I would have purchased a BRZ, not a GR86, because I prefer its more understated design and I hate how greedy Toyota has become and their dealership experience is rage inducing.

Yep 86 is the best all rounder ❤ performance is better too for every day use and weekend buzz 😎

A soft top variant of GR86 / roadster might’ve prevented me from buying my Miata. But wanted something different than the current wrx and the smiles per gallon could not be so different!

I think this video covered it really well, and I can see why people would like the GR-86 now. For me, it always felt very fake, but the reason for that is that I'm looking for constant engagement and fun, no matter the situation. But that's what I'M looking for, and other people aren't. Most people just want to get to work as easily and low effort as possible, and have fun when they want to have fun, not be forced to. A GR-86 looks like it can do that flawlessly. That's just not what I'm looking for, and it's that ability for it to just be a normal car that made it feel half baked to me. I do want to add something to the ND mx-5 experience, which for me is a downside: a lot of non-car people assume it's an exotic sports car. I'm not looking for attention, so it's been annoying on occasion. The gr-86 or brz, it's just a car to most people, and that's kind of a plus in my opinion. Only car people will really notice it.

These two are the very best sports cars on sale full stop. Both, the GR 86 and MX-5 are incredibly fun and which one do you prefer? It depends on your taste :) But either option you have one of the best cars ever made. To me, the sports car market that actually excite me so much as to say I love them resumes to these two, 911 GT3 and 911 S/T, that's it. Edit: Oh, and my choice between these two is the GR 86, but I love them both! Your video came just in time since just Yesterday I was thinking about how awesome these two are :) You described them very well while going straight to the point: Interior, Driving Experience, Reliability. I loved that!

MX5 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Just sold my ND Miata GT today for a whopping 9k and I already miss it

I like the Mazda MX-5 (RF version) over the GR86/BRZ, & it is the more mature/elegant of the two. Most of the color choices for the MX-5 though are pretty sad & drab IMO. Unbelievable that we can't buy a new one in Polymetal Gray Metallic (blue-gray color), as that is one of Mazda's best colors.

Hardtop sports cars can be found in all price ranges. Wouldn't consider a low-powered hardtop like the GR86 with the Supra being a better sport car for additional money. The only convertible for the price and fun is hands down the MX-5! Miata is always the answer 🙂.

I got GR86 , it was a very difficult decision for me between GR86 and Miata, I chose GR 86 for a few reasons. 1- Its engine is more powerful than Miatas, Miata is like a fast city car not sports car IMO, whereas GR86 is a proper entry level sports car. 2- GR86 has stronger character, it looks unique, its dashboard is unique, even some of its advantages and disadvantages are unique,whereas Miata looks like a standard Japanese car, when you look at it you feel like it's just another cool Japanese car whereas GR86 is GR86. 3- GR86 looks sharper and resembles other more expensive Sports cars(Lotus,Alpine,Aston Martin...etc) whereas Mazda looks more like a fun/cool city car. 4- Last but not least I love Toyota, my last two cars were Toyota Aygo and Toyota Aygo X, I have good relationship with Toyota dealers and Toyota finance so finding a brand new GR86 and getting the part Exchange with my Aygo X and new finance deal sorted was fairly easy, even though GR86 has very limited availibility in the UK and it's dificult to find a new GR86 (Unlike Miata which has unlimited availability in the UK).

If 86 came in a convertible it would win in every category. As of now it wins as a drivers sports car

As a single guy with only one car, my GR86 works perfect for me. I would have been stuck several times if I had a Miata for a daily. Having a back seat is very important if only just for cargo. The driving is of course fantastic. The changes I made were to turn off the fake engine noise and put in a 10" sub in the trunk. The poor MPG is the only thing I don't like about the car.

Purchased an MX5 as a second car 6 months ago and couldn’t be happier. I looked at the GR86 and couldn’t understand why a lightweight car like that only gets 20 MPG city with most people getting 18-20 in the city. (So I’m talking about City MPG’s). I usually get 30-34 mpg in the Miata. I know gas mileage isn’t the primary reason for buying these cars, but still….The other thing that bothered me was the stick shift was so unnecessarily high which I found cumbersome and odd. Do you have any input as to why, for both of these traits? 💁‍♂️

It feels like GR86 is more like for racing, if I want just a car some chill fun rides, will the Miata be better?

The Mazda mx-5 all day long! Looks so much better than the GR86.

I can fit 2 people, 2 golf bags, and enough luggage for a week long trip in my 2024 GR86. That is what I wanted in a sports car and I GOT IT. The Miata is fun, but otherwise useless.

I wish dealers on the east coasts weren't so greedy. The lowest I found was $2,500 over MSRP for base with $2,000 of dealer addons. heartbreaking for a young car enthusiast

Only thing you get with the Toyobaru over MX5 is more storage. If storage is that important to you then you probably should not be looking at sportscars

I really wish the GR86 had a convertible variant

I got a nd3 miata rf, love the car. Zero practicality

Wild card..... The BRZ is better on road than the GR86. The suspension is tuned more for comfort and handling rather than stiffness and tail swinging like the toyota. About 20k HARD miles on my BRZ. Lots of mods and track time. The RTV\oil fear is irrational and over played.

Gr86/brz looks more elegant and sportier than mx5 plus more power

I own both. If fun were the only consideration and I could only have one, it would be the gr86

I would happily own both, but if I had to pay for a GR86 and a MX5 I´d just buy an Alpine. Lighter than a MX5 and quite faster than a GR86. And much more fun to drive. A review please?

Miata is more FUN! I traded my GR86 for ND3 and I don't miss the subaru...😅

One more similarity: the automatic transmission in both cars are the same

The GR86 might blow up from just autocross.... so there is that. The car really needs a new engine.

6 second 0-60 on the miata with an awful launch. Sheesh, there was more wheel spin in that launch than necessary.

Mazda and Subaru. Annoying gr86 get so much praise as a Toyota and then the Supra gets hate as bmw. Car community sucks for this. lol

MX5 coupe is the answer we never got.

Eh I find the Miata ugly…man I miss when cars were sexy like rx7, the old Miata, s2k.

Mx-5 for me gr86 looks like a poor man's z.

S2000 enters the chat.

I love your sarcasm and would love to see your comparison between Trump and Biden.

lol toyota sponsored video... ill pick miata anyday... bias sponsored blogging 😅

The Miata sounds terrible

Nobody will tell you how amazing a Miata is more than Miata fanatics lol. The superior sports car is the 86. No comparison. I have a 718 GTS 4.0 and wouldn’t go near a Miata with a 10 foot pole.

Just buy both fucking cars or buy 1 and lease one

Miata looks like a child’s power wheels and it has the most wussy name of all time.

It should be illegal to buy ether of these cars unless your physically handicapped.

Mazda Miata doesn't look good. it looks like a kid's toy and not a serious sports car. GR86 looks so good. I would buy it over Miata everyday.